Category Archives: Film

BERLIN FILM REVIEW: Nick Oceano’s ‘Pedro’

Posted on February 8, 2009 by admin

By Ray Bennett BERLIN – With the story of Pedro Zamora, the Cuban-born youngster who contracted the HIV virus at age 17 and told his story on MTV’s “The Real World” before dying young, “Pedro” is a film that wears its … Continue reading →

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BERLIN: Great Cajun music in Tavernier’s ‘Electric Mist’

Posted on February 7, 2009 by admin

By Ray Bennett BERLIN – There are several reasons to like French director Bertrand Tavernier’s handsome and atmospheric feature “In the Electric Mist,” which had its world premiere at the Berlin International Film Festival tonight, not least the sumptuous cinematography … Continue reading →

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BERLIN FILM REVIEW: Lucia Puenzo’s ‘The Fish Child’

Posted on February 7, 2009 by admin

By Ray Bennett BERLIN – Argentinean writer-director Lucia Puenzo has followed up her successful first film, 2007 Cannes Critics Week winner “XXY,” with “The Fish Child” (El nino pez), which, despite its unfortunate title, is a satisfying noirish tale that … Continue reading →

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BERLIN FILM REVIEW: Yoav Shamir’s ‘Defamation’

Posted on February 7, 2009 by admin

By Ray Bennett BERLIN – Israeli filmmaker Yoav Shamir tackles the thorny and provocative issue of anti-Semitism in his documentary “Defamation” and finds a deep divide between Jews who see it everywhere and Jews who find it nowhere, least of … Continue reading →

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Mickey Rourke pounds pavement for ‘The Wrestler’

Posted on February 4, 2009 by admin

By Ray Bennett British director Darren Aronofsky says he thinks Mickey Rourke still hasn’t seen “The Wrestler”, the picture they made about a beat-up fighter that has resurrected the actor’s career. He might not have seen it but, boy, has … Continue reading →

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‘Prisoner’ star Patrick McGoohan dies at 80

Posted on January 14, 2009 by admin

LONDON – Mel Gibson told me that when was casting his Oscar-winning best picture “Braveheart,” he kept saying he wanted someone like Patrick McGoohan to play the vital role of William Wallace’s nemesis, Longshanks, King Edward I (pictured below) Finally, … Continue reading →

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‘Yes Man’ Jim Carrey pays tribute to my friend Blackie

Posted on January 8, 2009 by admin

By Ray Bennett It was great to see that Jim Carrey still pays tribute to my late friend Bruce Blackadar for helping the Canadian comedian break into the big time. At a London press conference for his new film “Yes … Continue reading →

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Angelo Badalamenti’s ‘Edge of Love’ my pick of 2008 film scores

Posted on January 3, 2009 by admin

By Ray Bennett Vanity Fair has an interesting rundown of 11 potential candidates for this year’s film score awards. It’s a good list with many of the always deserving usual suspects. Good bets for Oscar nominations include Alberto Iglesias for … Continue reading →

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Director Robert Mulligan dies at 83

Posted on December 23, 2008 by admin

By Ray Bennett LONDON – American director Robert Mulligan, who has died aged 83, never matched his 1962 classic “To Kill a Mockingbird” but he was always able to draw out fine performances from his actors. Not only that, but … Continue reading →

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Oscar winners and wannabes in February film releases

Posted on December 22, 2008 by admin

By Ray Bennett Everything comes in pairs in the United Kingdom’s February film releases. Two Oscar-winning veteran filmmakers show how it’s done with Clint Eastwood’s “Gran Torino” and Woody Allen’s “Vicky Cristina Barcelona” (pictured above). Two famous characters from the … Continue reading →

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